Minnesota is one of the many states in the USA that never disappoints when it comes to the high number of abandoned buildings. This architectural icon in Ely, Minnesota will sweep you off your feet. Tanner’s Hospital or Carpenter’s hospital is a former hospital building built in 1901 and abandoned later in the century. It currently stands rejected at downtown Ely with no hopes of ever coming back to life.

What is the history of the Hospital?

Tanner’s Hospital was built in 1901 but operations started in 1905 after its completion. The hospital was built by Dr. Anterno Tanner hence the name Tanner’s Hospital. Tanner, who was a renowned surgeon later sold his life achievement to Dr. Carrol Carpenter. Carpenter would later change the name to Carpenter’s Hospital shortly after taking over operations. Tanner’s Hospital was at a prime location that offered patients recovering a therapeutic view of Shagawa Lake. The architectural design of the hospital is one of a kind that will make you doubt if it was ever a hospital.

Death of the hospital

Carpenter’s Hospital as it was known after it changed ownership from Dr. Anterno Tanner, did not last long as many hoped it would. During Carrol’s administration, the hospital slowly got into debt and low number of patients. Since Carrol had already made a fortune out of the hospital, he made a decision to sell it to a real estate company. Tanner hospital was rebranded and refaced to become Lakeview apartment from the 1950s to around the 1980s when the apartment ran out of business and the building was abandoned.

What is the current condition of the Tanner hospital?

Tanner hospital is still abandoned to this date. It is now called the castle due to its massiveness and unique design. Some sections of its walls that were made out of bricks have been defaced by graffiti giving it an old dirty look. From outside, the hospital looks like a haunted structure in the middle of the street. There is no serious vandalism that has been subjected to the building if not minor broken window glasses. Tanner hospital is an old building built in 1901 when asbestos and lead paints were used as construction materials. The combinations of the two are hazardous and can result in serious long-term illness. The whole building is still private property and trespassing is not allowed. All the entrances are shut and the grass around the building is cut once in a while by unknown individuals. The owner plans to renovate the hospital into a new modern business premise for rentals. One can still drive past the building to have a closer look and take pictures. Just don’t trespass!